Events Around the Bay

Well, the last question made me sweat… I hate exercising and get irritated and bored when my slender and very attractive girlfriends talk passionately about the hours they spend at the fitness center, dancing Zumba, running on the treadmill and riding their stationary bicycle at home.. Just in case they wake up in the middle of the night and run to their favorite  high-tech machinery. After all, they live in Silicon Valley…

Basically I am totally jealous and very envious of their passion for fitness. But I would rather visit my favorite sushi restaurant and zoom by my vroom – vroom  in my red sporty Beemer to attend the fabulous concert with the San Francisco Symphony. Can you relate to my personal choice of satisfaction… as Mick Jagger sings? It’s priceless!

Ever wonder how and why so many notable orchestra conductors lived a long life? According to Dr. Mathew Chin It’s their daily 2-hours exercise atop the podium.. Sometimes even more if they have to run a practice session with their amazing musicians.

Here are a few of the very famous orchestra conductors who enjoyed a very long and productive life:

• Michael Tilson Thomas: Lived to 81 years (December 21, 1944 – April 22, 2026) was an American conductor, composer, pianist, and music pedagogue. Thomas was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and then Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony until 2020. Beloved member of the San Francisco Community. He will be celebrated at a very special concert/event on October 2, 2026 at Davies Symphony Hall. Not to be missed! I already purchased my ticket!
• Frank Emond: Lived to 104 years old (May 21, 1918 – January 2023); known for leading the United States Navy Band and recognized as a record-holding older maestro. Leopold Stokowski: Lived to 95 years old (April 18, 1882 – September 13, 1977); famous long-tenured conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra who signed recording contracts into his mid-90s.
• Herbert Blomstedt: Born July 11, 1927 (age 99); renowned with the SF Symphony, Swedish-American maestro who spent many years conducting and  remains active on the international podium  as one of history’s oldest working conductors.
• Sir Adrian Boult: Lived to 93 years old (April 8, 1889 – February 22, 1983); prominent British conductor of the BBC Symphony and London Philharmonic.
• Pablo Casals: Lived to 96 years old (December 29, 1876 – October 22, 1973); celebrated Catalan cellist and conductor.
• Arturo Toscanini: Lived to 90 years old (March 25, 1867 – Jan, 16, 1957); Was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the late 19th century.

Yes, my friends, these prominent conductors exercised every day and lived a long life. Well…  I invited Dr. Matthew Chin to join me for the concert with the SF Symphony! Hopefully he will understand my allergy to exercising and my love for classical music.

Photos courtesy of SF Symphony

By Lina Broydo